When evaluating security options for your business, one critical decision is whether to hire armed or unarmed security guards. Each option has distinct advantages, and the right choice depends on your specific needs, priorities, and risks.
While there is no ‘right’ choice, several key factors may dictate your final decision. Such are your business’s location, industry, budget, and the level of risk you’re managing. These considerations can make it tricky to choose, especially when balancing safety, costs, and customer comfort.
Join us as we dive into the key differences between unarmed and armed guards and the top five reasons to hire an unarmed security guard to safeguard your business.
The Difference Between Unarmed and Armed Security Guards
Deciding between an armed or unarmed security guard involves understanding their specific roles and capabilities. Let’s break down what each offers:
Unarmed guards do not carry firearms. Instead, they are equipped with nonlethal weapons such as tasers, batons, handcuffs, and pepper spray. These non-lethal weapons allow the guards to defend themselves and others while minimizing the risk of serious injury or escalation. Unarmed guards are trained to peacefully handle conflicts and other security or safety concerns without resorting to deadly force.
Common industries where unarmed guards are most effective include:
- Medical facilities
- Retail stores
- Shopping centers
- Educational institutions
- Hotels
- Commercial buildings
Armed guards may carry a variety of firearms, such as concealed pistols, shotguns, and rifles, when on duty. They undergo specialized firearm training and certification to ensure their skills and proficiency in handling lethal weapons safely and responsibly. Due to this, hiring armed guards is more expensive.
Common industries where unarmed guards are most effective include:
- Financial institutions
- Government facilities
- Construction sites
- Aerospace facilities
- Cargo transportation facilities
- High-profile event venues
Key Applications of Unarmed Guards vs Armed Guards
The right type of security guard can make all the difference. Key factors that play a role include location, crime levels, common threats, budget, and priorities. If you’re unsure which option suits your business best, check out these key applications for unarmed and armed guards.
Unarmed Guards
The top applications of security officers without firearms:
- Routine security patrols – Fully trained to patrol business premises and routinely monitor entry and exit points.
- Crowd control – Managing crowds and providing clear instructions at events and high foot traffic areas or holiday periods.
- Customer service – Skilled in welcoming visitors, offering support when required, and creating a friendly, professional atmosphere.
- Conflict resolution – Defusing tensions and resolving conflicts calmly without resorting to physical force or firearms.
- Emergency response – Quickly reacting to emergencies, coordinating evacuations, and ensuring safety until professional help arrives.
Armed Guards
The primary uses for armed security personnel:
- High-risk areas – Best suited in areas that suffer from acts of violent crime, including armed robbery, assault, and hate crimes.
- Deterrence of Crime – Detering threats with their presence throughout business premises with extremely high crime levels.
- Protection of valuable assets – Protecting financial institutions and other businesses that house large amounts of cash or high-value assets and ensure the safety of customers and employees during transactions.
- Executive security – Providing personal protection for high-profile individuals who may face security risks due to their public visibility or the nature of their roles.
The Top Five Reasons to Choose Unarmed Security Guard Services
Firearms aren’t always necessary, and armed guards may not suit every situation. The more versatile and budget-friendly option is unarmed security personnel that maintain safety and order in a non-lethal and effective way.
Explore the top reasons for choosing to hire an unarmed security guard to protect your employees and customers:
Reduced Costs
Unarmed guards have lower associated costs while still providing essential services. Unlike their armed counterparts, they don’t have to undergo thorough firearm safety training. They also don’t require additional insurance and require fewer equipment expenses.
These additional requirements make armed guards less accessible and often in short supply. In contrast, unarmed security guards are much more readily available.
Ease of Customers
In certain settings – such as schools, libraries, and recreational facilities – the sight of firearms can evoke unease or anxiety. Unarmed security guards have a non-threatening presence that can put customers, employees, and other individuals throughout the premises at ease.
Choosing unarmed guards allows businesses to maintain a secure environment without introducing unnecessary tension. The presence of an unarmed security guard creates an atmosphere of safety and professionalism that reassures customers and fosters trust. At the same time, business owners can rest easy knowing their premises are protected from potential risks, all without the concerns that often accompany armed security.
Decreased Chance of Escalation
Although firearms can effectively deter criminals and stop violent incidents, their use can amplify tensions in certain situations and result in additional violence and loss of life for the guard, perpetrators, and bystanders.
For instance, some criminals, even when armed, may not intend to cause harm and instead use their firearms to intimidate or assert control. However, the presence of armed guards can escalate these situations, potentially provoking criminals to use their weapons out of fear or panic, increasing the risk of casualties.
As unarmed guards are specially trained in communication and de-escalation techniques without the use of firearms, they can effectively defuse a tense situation and, when necessary, use non-lethal methods such as verbal persuasion, physical intervention, and restraint techniques.
Minimized Safety Risks
A lack of firearms on a business’s premises reduces the chance of misuse and gun-related incidents. Even when armed guards receive rigorous training, human error, negligence, or unforeseen circumstances can lead to tragic consequences and accidental shootings.
Research also suggests that carrying firearms can negatively affect individuals psychologically, increasing aggression and hostility. In stressful or volatile situations, this heightened aggression can escalate conflicts, raising the likelihood of injuries or fatalities for everyone involved.
By choosing unarmed guards, businesses mitigate these firearm-related risks. Equipped with non-lethal tools, unarmed guards can effectively ensure safety without causing significant harm. Free from the psychological weight of carrying firearms, they are better able to stay composed and make sound decisions in high-pressure situations.
Protection Against Liability
Businesses are accountable for any injuries or fatalities on their premises, including accidental shootings involving bystanders. Armed security guards, even with extensive training, may unintentionally harm innocent people when attempting to apprehend criminals. This may result in exposing the business to costly lawsuits and reputational damage.
In contrast, unarmed security guards use non-lethal methods, significantly reducing the risk of accidental harm to themselves, bystanders, and others. By avoiding firearm-related incidents, businesses also minimize liability and ensure a safer environment for everyone.
Find the Best Security Solution With American Security Force
As a leading provider of unarmed security services in North America, American Security Force is dedicated to safeguarding your premises against various threats. We specialize in creating tailored, non-lethal security solutions that effectively address the unique needs of your business, regardless of industry.
Protect your property and create a safer environment for everyone. Let our guards minimize risks, de-escalate unsafe situations, and ensure your employees and customers feel secure.
Looking for trained unarmed security guards to protect your business from theft, robbery, assault, trespassing, or vandalism? Get in touch with our expert team today for a consultation!
